Horiba F-50 Desktop Multi-Parameter Water Quality Analyzer
| Origin | Japan |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | F-50 |
| Pricing | Upon Request |
Overview
The HORIBA F-50 Desktop Multi-Parameter Water Quality Analyzer is a compact, benchtop instrument engineered for simultaneous, real-time measurement of multiple critical water quality parameters—including pH, ORP (oxidation-reduction potential), conductivity, salinity, TDS (total dissolved solids), and temperature—using interchangeable, high-stability combination electrodes. Built upon HORIBA’s legacy in electrochemical sensor design and precision potentiometric/condutometric principles, the F-50 employs solid-state reference junctions, temperature-compensated electrode algorithms, and auto-ranging analog-to-digital conversion to ensure traceable accuracy across diverse aqueous matrices—from ultrapure water to industrial effluents and wastewater. Its architecture conforms to fundamental metrological requirements for laboratory-grade water analysis, supporting routine calibration verification, drift monitoring, and documented measurement integrity under GLP and GMP-regulated environments.
Key Features
- Full-color graphical LCD with intuitive icon-based navigation—first-in-class interface for multi-parameter water analyzers, enabling rapid method selection and parameter switching without menu nesting.
- Enhanced mechanical robustness: IP65-rated enclosure with reinforced polycarbonate housing and shock-absorbing gasketing; validated to withstand incidental drops from 1 m onto concrete per IEC 60068-2-32 standards.
- Upgraded electrode drive circuitry delivering improved signal-to-noise ratio and faster stabilization times (<15 s typical for pH in buffered solutions), particularly beneficial for low-conductivity or high-ionic-strength samples.
- Dual-parameter concurrent display: Simultaneously shows two user-selected parameters (e.g., pH + temperature or conductivity + salinity) with independent units, resolution, and calibration status indicators.
- Integrated data logging with timestamped storage for up to 2,000 measurement records; supports manual trigger, time-interval, or event-triggered capture modes.
- USB-B port for direct connection to Windows-based PCs; no proprietary drivers required—recognized as standard CDC ACM serial device for seamless integration with LIMS or custom acquisition software.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The F-50 accommodates standard 12-mm diameter glass pH electrodes, ORP electrodes with platinum or gold sensing elements, and dual-cell conductivity probes (K = 0.1, 1.0, or 10 cm⁻¹). It is validated for use with aqueous samples ranging from deionized water (conductivity ≥ 0.055 µS/cm) to seawater (salinity ≤ 45 ppt) and municipal wastewater (TDS ≤ 100,000 mg/L). All measurement protocols align with ASTM D1293 (pH of water), ASTM D5391 (conductivity of purified water), and ISO 7888 (electrical conductivity). The instrument’s audit trail functionality—including operator ID entry, calibration date/time stamping, and electrode serial number logging—supports compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with validated electronic signature workflows and secure network configurations.
Software & Data Management
Data export is supported via USB mass storage mode (CSV format) or real-time streaming over virtual COM port. HORIBA’s optional “LabManager F-Series” desktop application (Windows 10/11 compatible) enables batch calibration management, trend charting with statistical overlays (mean, SD, %RSD), and automated report generation compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 documentation templates. All stored measurements retain full metadata: date/time, ambient temperature, electrode ID, calibration slope/offset values, and user-entered sample IDs. Audit logs are write-protected and cannot be edited or deleted without administrator-level authentication.
Applications
- Environmental monitoring labs performing surface water, groundwater, and wastewater characterization per EPA Method 150.1 and ISO 5667 series.
- Pharmaceutical QC laboratories verifying purified water (PW) and water-for-injection (WFI) attributes in accordance with USP and EU Ph. Eur. 2.2.38.
- Food & beverage production facilities conducting incoming raw water assessment and process rinse water validation.
- Educational institutions utilizing the F-50 in analytical chemistry and environmental science curricula for hands-on electrochemical measurement training.
- Municipal water treatment plants performing daily operational checks on coagulation/flocculation basins and disinfection contact tanks.
FAQ
Does the F-50 support automatic temperature compensation (ATC) for all measured parameters?
Yes—ATC is applied in real time to pH, conductivity, salinity, and TDS calculations using either built-in NTC thermistor or external Pt1000 probe input.
Can calibration data be transferred between instruments for fleet-wide consistency?
Calibration coefficients and date stamps are stored in non-volatile memory and can be exported/imported via CSV; however, electrode-specific slope/offset values remain tied to individual sensor IDs for traceability.
Is the F-50 compliant with GLP/GMP documentation requirements out of the box?
It provides core GLP/GMP-enabling features (audit trail, user login, calibration history), but formal compliance requires site-specific validation protocols, including IQ/OQ/PQ documentation and procedural controls defined by the end-user’s QA department.
What battery life can be expected during field use with alkaline AA cells?
With four AA alkaline batteries and backlight enabled, typical continuous operation exceeds 20 hours; power-saving mode extends runtime to >100 hours with intermittent sampling.
Are replacement electrodes and calibration buffers available through HORIBA’s global distribution network?
Yes—standard pH, ORP, and conductivity electrodes (including TOUPH-series models), along with NIST-traceable calibration solutions (pH 4.01/7.00/10.01, KCl 1413 µS/cm), are stocked by authorized distributors in over 60 countries.
